Self-clamping buckle



L. STEINER SELF-CLAMPING BUCK' May 29, 1951 2 sheets-sheet 1 Filed Oct. 30, 1948 ISA IN V EN TOR.

May 29, 1951 L. STEINER SELF-CLAMPING BUCKLE 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Oct. 50, 1948 INVENTOR. 6o

Patented May '29, 1951 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE It is an object of my present invention to provide self-clamping buckles which will stay firmly in adjusted position so as to preclude any accidental change in the operative lengths of the straps.

Furthermore, it is another object of my present invention to provide self-clamping buckles which can be easily adjusted, i. e. easily loosened and moved to another position on'the strap, when it is desired to increase or to shorten its operative length.

In accordance with my present invention, a self-clamping buckle for varying the operative lengths of a strap comprises in combination a wedge-shaped sleeve member through which said strap might be passed, anda wedge-shaped clamping member arranged within the wedgeshaped sleeve member slidably in contact with the same.

A preferred buckle construction of the type proposed by me includes a wedge-shaped sleeve member and a hollow wedge-shaped clamping member having a narrower end portion, and a wider end portion, and arranged within the passage in said wedge-shaped sleeve member with the narrower end portion located in the narrower end of the passage, and the wider end portion located in the wider end of the passage slidably in contact with the inner face of the other of said flat sleeve portions.

Furthermore, I have found it advisable to provide stop means on at least one of the members for preventing the wedge-shaped clamping member from sliding out of the wedge-shaped sleeve during operation of the self-clamping buckle.

Instead of using stop means of the above type it is possible to use a flexible connecting member attached at one end to the wedge-shaped sleeve and at the other end to the wedge-shaped clamping member, preventing the wedge-shaped clamping member from entirely sliding out of the wedge-shaped sleeve, without, however, interlering with its sliding within the sleeve.

In order to enable operation of the buckle with one hand only, I provide a pulling member e. g. a pulling tape secured to the wedge-shaped clamping member permitting sliding of the same out of the wedge-shaped clamping member until prevented from further sliding by the iiexible connecting member or by the stop means. Y

In accordance with ,another embodiment of 'my 13 Claims. (Cl. 24-194) present invention, I provide slots in the wedgeshaped clamping member arranged parallel to the clamping edges thereof, and a combined connecting and pulling tape secured to the wedgeshaped clamping member and passing through the slots in such a manner as to enable said Wedge-shaped clamping member to be slid by pulling of the tape relative to the wedge-shaped clamping member without sliding out of the same.

The novel features which I consider as characteristic for my invention are set forth in particular in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, both as to its construction and its methods of operation, together with additional advantages and objects thereof, will be best understood from the following description of speciflc embodiments when read in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. l is a front view of a suspender provided with a self-clamping buckle of the type proposed by me;

Fig. 2 is a section through the arrangement shown in Figure 1, along line 2-2 of Figure 1, with the buckle in clamping position;

Fig. 3 is a section similar to the one shown in Figure 2, with the buckle in inoperative position;

Fig. 4 is a top View of the wedge-shaped clamping member forming part of the buckle shown in Figures 1 to 3, seen in direction of arrow li, of Figure'3;

Fig. 5 is an elevational section through a modied buckle construction;

Fig. 6 is an elevational section through another modified buckle construction according to my present invention;

Fig. 7 is an elevational section through still another modied buckle construction according to my present invention;

Fig. 8 is an elevational section through a further modiedbuckle construction according to my present invention;

Fig. 9 is a side view of the buckle shown in Fig. 8;

Fig. 10 is a ,perspective view of the movable wedge member of the buckle of Figs. 8 and 9; and

Fig. 11 is a side elevation of the sleeve of the same Figs. 8 and 9. Y

The buckle construction shown in Figures 1 to 4 includes a wedge-shaped sleeve lll having at sleeve portions Il and l2, forming an acute angle with each other. This sleeve lil forms a passage I3 which is open at both ends, namely Vat its wider end I4, and at its narrower end I5.

My new buckle includes also a Wedge-shaped vided in the wedge-shaped clamping member I6..

Sliding out of the wedge-shaped clamping member I6 from sleeve I0 is prevented-by thev stop knob 25 rmly secured to the projecting portion 26 of tape 2 I, in such position that thewider clamping portion I9 of the wedge-shaped clamping member I6 abuts against it as shown in Figure 2 when the clamping member is moved into its uppermost operative position.

The elastic strap 21 holding the suspender straps 28 is secured by the` strap sleeve S29 to the sleeve portion I2 of the buckle as clearly shown in Figures Zand 3. This elastic strap 21 forms a loop 30 extending downwardly, and'then again passes through the buckle sleeve |=between the wedge-shapedclamping member I6, and the sleeve portion I2 of the buckle.

The clamping buckle described above..operates as follows:

In the position shown in Figure 2, the buckle is in engaging position, preventing sliding of-strap 21 relative to the buckle. As clearlyv shown in this figure, the operative edges 3| and 32 of the bent portions 20 and I9 respectively offthe'wedgeshaped clamping member I6, firmly'engages the strap 21, preventing sliding of the same in the directions indicated by the double arrow v33.

In order to disengage the wedge-shaped clamping member I6 from the strap 21, the same is pulled from its position shown in Fig. 2 by means of the pulling memberV 2| in direction of arrow 34 into the position shown in Fig. 3 in which the engaging edges 3| ,and 32 either do not at all engage the surface of strap V2'1 or engage it only suiciently to cause automatic clamping whenever the strap is pulled in upward direction.

I wish to note that during such pulling of the member 2| first the sleeve I0 is .lifted from the clamping member I6 and as consequencethereof the clamping member is able to slide in downward direction.

The entire buckle is pulled by-the member 2| downward until it reaches the'desired position. Release of the buckle in this position willresult in automatic clamping of the member |9^and`pre vention of further sliding of the buckle.

If it is desired to adjust the buckle in upward direction the pulling member 2| is'simply pulled in upward direction. Such pull willrst result in disengagement of the sleeve I0 and clamping member I6 and then insliding of the entire buckle in upward direction. Releaseof the pulling member 2| in the desired nal position will also in this eventresult in automatic :stopping of the buckle.

Similarly, if it is desiredto adjust-the buckle downward, it is not necessary to pulli'lrstrthe pulling tape 2|, yand then the sleeve I0,.but it is possible to simply pull by meansiof vthepulling tape 2 I, the entire buckle downwardintofthe desired position. The momentthe pullingzmember is released in such -desiredpositiom the.: buckle members will automatically move back into the clamping position shown in Figure 2.

I Wish to note that in order to prevent sliding of the clamping member I6 too far into sleeve IIJ, I provide on the upper face of the clamping member I6, stop buttons 35 abutting against the edge 36 of the sleeve portion I, when the buckle members are in their clamping position shown in Figure 2.

In Figure 5 I -have shown a modified buckle:

The wedge-shaped sleeve member 31 is similar to the corresponding sleeve member of the buckle shown in Figures 1 to 4, and the general `shape/ofthe clamping member 38 is the same as the shape of the clamping member I6 of that buckle.-

VHowever, in order to prevent sliding out of the clamping member 3B from sleeve 31, I do not provide tape 2|, but a hook member 39 provided on the clamping member 38, and adapted to engage the upper edge 40 of sleeve 31 las shown. Additionally, Iprovide also on the clamping mem'- ber 38, an-operating extension 4| by'which itis possible to pull, i. e. slide the clamping member relative to-sleeve 31.

Also in the embodiment shown in Figure 6, the sleeve 42, and the clamping member 43, .have the vsame general shape. In this embodiment however, I provide simply a projection 44 on top ofthe clampingmember 43 to preventV its sliding rout from sleeve 42, and I attach at the lower end of the clamping' member ..43 a short tape 45 for pulling the vclamping member downward, out of engagement with sleeve 42.

The buckles shown in Figures 5 and 6 are moved upward in exactly the same manner as the buckle shown in 4Figures 1 to 4, namely, by seizingv thesleeve member and pulling it in upward direction.

The buckle shown in Fig. '1 is `in basicrespects similar to the buckle vshown .in Figs. 5 andv 6. The main `diierence compared with the buckle shown in Fig. 6 is that the pulling tape is not secured directly to. the wedge-shaped member, but thatitissecured to pin 46 arranged inside the wedge-shaped member freely slidable in the directions indicated by the double arrow 41.

Thislpinis held insidethe wedge-shaped member by two.bridge-shapedfportions 460i the wedge limiting the widthxof the slot 49. The pulling -tape 50Iis secured to the pin 46 as shown.

It is evidentthat in order to adjust-the buckle .in downward directionit is onlynecessary to pull the tape 5|! downward.

If it :is .desired to adjust. the Abuckle in upward direction, it is also advisable to pull only the tape 50-in upward direction. Such upward pulling oftape '50 will result -in exertion of pressure by the tape -on the bottom edge 5| of the sleeve.42, pushing the same in upwardldirection, and' thereby pulling the wedge-shaped member out of the sleeve and releasing its grip upon the strap 2-1. After the wedge-shaped member is released, it is easily possible to pullrby means of the .pullingfmemberl the entire buckle vupward intoy the desired position.

The buckle yshown inlFigs. 8 to l1 is a particularly preferred embodiment of my present invention. This embodiment is very similar tothe buckle shown in Fig. '7, the only' difference being that the pulling tape.52 is attached to the wedge-shaped member not. by means of a pin, but directly secured at v531to the inner face 54 thereof. It .is evident that an arrangement-of this type resultsin'much .greater pressure :of the y tape 52 against the" bottom edge 55 of sleevel 56 when the tape is pulled in upward direction.

. As shown in Fig. 9, undesired slipping out of the wedge-shaped memberv from its sleeve in downward direction is prevented by the pin shaped projections 5l arranged in the plane of the main portion 58 of the wedge-shaped member at both lateral edges thereof. These projections engage corresponding cut-outs '59 arranged in the side faces of the sleeve member 56.

I wish to note that the stop members shown in the various embodiments of my new buckles are preferably triangular in cross section, so as to have a certain clamping effect upon the wedgeshaped member.

Furthermore, it should be stressed that in all embodiments of my invention the wedge-shaped member is hollow, i. e. bent out of one piece of sheet metal, and the upper gripping portion thereof designated in Figures 1, 2 and 3 with 20 has to be shaped so as to project in operative position VWell beyond the basic vertical plane of strap 2l, so as to bend the same as clearly shown4 in Fig. 2.

Finally, I wish also to stress that the engaging edges of the wedge-shaped members proposed by me are preferably not sharp or serrated so as not to damage the strap.

It will be understood that each of the elements described above, or two or more together, may also nd a useful application in other types of buckle constructions differing from the types described above.

While I have illustrated and described the invention as embodied in buckles for'suspenders, I do not intend to be limited to the details shown, since various modifications and structural changes may be made without departing in any way from the spirit of myV invention.

Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist of my invention, that others can by applying current knowledge readily adapt it for various applications without omitting features that, from the standpoint of prior art,` fairly constitute essential characteristics of the generic or specic aspects of this invention, and therefore, such adaptations should and are intended to be comprehended within the jmeaning and range of equivalence of the following claims.

What I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

l. A self-clamping buckle for varying the operative length of a strap, including the combination of a wedge-shaped sleeve member of predetermined length comprising two rigidly connected oppositely arranged unyielding sleeve walls disposed at an acute angle to each other to form a passage between them which is wider at one end and narrower at the other end and through which the strap may be passed while superimposedupon one of the sleeve walls; a vwedge-shaped clamping member of relatively greater length having a narrower clamping end portion and a wider clamping end portion and an intermediate'portion interconnecting the clamping end portions and located slidably in contact with the other of said sleeve walls within the passage in said sleeve member, said clamping member having the narrower clamping end portion thereof located in the narrower end of said passage and projecting therefrom in one direction and the wider clamping end portion thereof .located in the wider end of said passage and projecting therefrom in the opposite direction; and stop ymeans fixed upon the clamping member at the narrower clamping end portion thereof within the eXtremity of the latter and projecting into obstructing' position against a portion of the sleeve member' to prevent loss of said clamping member fromthe latter sleeve member when said clamping: member is shifted to released position during op-A eration of said clamping buckle.

2. A self-clamping buckle for varying the operative length of a strap, including the combina-- tion a wedge-shaped sleeve member of prede-- termined length comprising two rigidly connected. oppositely arranged unyielding sleeve walls dis-v posed at an acute angle to each other to form a. passage between them which is wider at one endl and narrower at the other end and through which the strap may be passed while superimposed upon; one'of the sleeve walls; and a wedge-shaped concavely hollow clamping member of relatively greater length having a narrower clamping end portion and a wider clamping end portion and located with the convex side thereof slidably in contact with the other of said sleeve walls within the passage in said sleeve member, said clamping member having the narrower clamping end portion thereof located in the narrower end of said passage and the wider clamping end portion thereof located in the wider end of said passage and being of sufficient length to project said narrower and wider clamping end portions simultaneously in opposite directions from the ends of said sleeve member.

3. A self-clamping buckle for varying the operative length of a strap, including the combination of a wedge-shaped sleeve member of predetermined length comprising two rigidly connected oppositely arranged unyielding sleeve walls disposed at an acute angle to each other to form apassage between them which is wider at one end and narrower at the other end and through which the strap may be passed while superimposed upon one of the sleeve walls; a wedgeshaped concavely hollow clamping member of relatively greater length having a narrower clamping end portion and a wider clamping end portion and a substantially straight intermediate portion interconnecting the clamping end portions and located slidably in contact with the other of said sleeve walls within the passage in said sleeve member, said clamping member hav-` ing the narrower clamping end portion thereof located in the narrower end of said passage and the wider clamping end portion Athereof located in the wider end of said passage and being of suii'icient length to project said narrower and wider clamping end portions simultaneously in opposite directions from the ends of said sleeve member; and stop means fixed upon the clamping member at the narrower clamping end portion thereof and projecting into obstructing position against a portion of the sleeve member to prevent loss of said clamping member from the latter sleeve member when said Aclamping member is shifted to released position during operation of said clamping buckle.

4. A self-clamping buckle for varying the operative length of a strap, including the combination of a wedge-shaped sleeve member of predetermined length comprising two rigidly connected oppositely arranged unyielding sleeve walls disposed at an acute angle to each other to form a passage between them which is wider at one end and narrower at the other end and through which the strap may be passed while superimposed upon one of the sleeve walls; a wedgeshapedA clamping member of relatively greaterv length vhaving a narrower clampingend portion anda wider clamping end portion and anfintermediate portion interconnecting the clamping ends and located slidably in contact with the;

other of said sleeve walls within the passage in said sleeve member, said clamping member hav.- in'g the narrower clamping end portion thereof.

located in the narrower end of said passage andA to release the clamping end portions. of said clamping member from saidstrap.

5. A self-clamping buckle for varying the op-A erative length of a strap, including the combina: tion of. a wedge-shaped sleeve member of predetermined length comprising two rigidly connected oppositely arranged unyielding sleeve walls dis?v posed at an acute angle to each other .tofo'rm a passage between them which is wider atone. end and narrower at the `other Vend andthrough which the strap may be passed .while superimposed upon one of the sleeve walls; a Wedge-shaped clamping member of relatively greater length having a narrower clamping .end portion yand a wider clamping end portion and an intermediate portion interconnecting the clampingend portions and located slidably in contact with the other of said sleeve walls within the passage in said sleeve member, said clamping member having the narrcwer clamping end portion thereof locatedin the narrower end of said passage and the wider clamping end portion thereof located in the Wider end of said passage and being ofsuflicient length to project said narrower and-wider clamping end portions simultaneously in opposite directions from the ends of said sleevemember; stopmeans fixed upon the clamping member at thenarrower clamping end portion thereof and projecting into obstructing position against a portion of the sleeve member to prevent lossof saidelamping member from the lattersleeve member when said clamping member is shifted to released position during operation of said clamping buckle, thev wedge-shaped clamping Vmember having av s lot, in the widerend portion thereof; and manually operated pulling-means secured to saidwedgeshaped clamping member and depending from the latter through .the slot therein forslidably. releasing said clamping member through the wedge-shaped sleeve member .when releasing the clamping end portions of said clampingfhember. from said strap.

6. A self-clamping buckle for varyingthe operative length of a strap, including the' combination of a wedge-shaped sleeve. member ofy predetermined length comprising two rigidlyconnected oppositely arranged unyielding sleeve. wallsdisposed at an acuteangle to eachother tofform Aa passage between themwhich is wider at one end and narrower at the otherend andthrough which the strap may be passed while superimposed upon one of the sleeve walls; a wedge-shaped concavely hollow clamping member ofrelatively greater length having anarrowenclampingend portion and a wider clamping` end. portion and a substantially straight intVerme,diateA portion mierseeeegigg. .the .clapping ,eeslpgrtipns and. bfi elegge ich.the'einer'.Qfsfiifif Within. the. passasefi seid Sleefv' memberrsaid clamping. memberharieg lhgnarf.

tower clamping .end psiriioii theref 'loefein .the

narrower .epd Of. said passage and the Wider' clamping engl portion. 'thereof lecaiedin @ewiger end-@said passage.. 'the Wedge-shapedlampine.

member.. also hsving-fas1otint1ie Wider end rioreV tion ihereef, and. Seidslamping memberbeingef siifcient length 'to/project. the narrower. and wider demise @ed portions. Simultaneously in.

Opposite. directions. 'from the erid .0f Said .Slee/.6. members; and manuals/.operates pulling megas? secured to said wedge-shaped clayngiping'member` and Idepending from the latter throghfthe slot therein for slidably ile'asipgsaid clampflngnfieiil.-y

ber throu hv the.' wedge-.shaped sleeve. member Whenleesiiie-ihe l=legiiifigfndlpgriioris .0f Said clampingv membenfromsaidjstrap. 7. Aself-clamping buckle for varying the. operative length of a strap, including thecombinationaof a. wedge-shaped sleeve member of predetermined length comprising two rigidly connected oppositelyarranged unyielding sleevewalls disposed at an acute,angletoeachfaother toformr, apassage between them whichis wider. at one' end and narrower at the othenendand. through which the. strap may be passedwhile superimposed uponone offthe sleevewalls;l a wedgeshaped conavelyfhollow.. clamping .member of relatii'relyv `.greater length having. a 'narrower clamping end portion and a wider clamping en d portion and an intermediate portionint'rcon'- necting. the. clamping. end .portions land located slidably incontactwiththe yothenof said sleevey walls Mwithin the passagein said sleeve '.r'nember, said" clamping member. havingv the. narrower `clamping endportion. thereof locatedin thev narirower end, of ,said passageandthewider ,clamping end portion thereof located in. the wider'end ofv said passagejan'd being of suicient lengthto project .the narrower and wider ,clamping en d ,portions Isi'multaneouslyin opposite directions from thev ends. of s aidsleeve member; stopmeans xedf upon the clamping member atthe narrower', clamping end portionthereof and projectingintoY obstructingV position against. aportion of the;

sleeve member. to prevent loss ofsaid clamping membenfrom thelattervsleeve member iwher'ihsaid clamping member is shifted to ileleasedposition during. operation ofsaid clamping buckle, the

Wedge-shaped clamping member also having al slot'in thewiderend'portion thereof; and manually operated pulling means secured to said wedge-shapedclamping member and depending a passage between them which is wider at one end. and narrowerat the other end and through which the strap may be passed Awhile superimposed upon. onejofl` the sleeve walls; a wedgeshaped clamping member of relatively greater length having a narrower clamping end por.- v tion anda Wider.. clamping end portion and an intermediate portion interconnecting the clamping end portions and located slidably in contact with the other of said sleeve walls within the passage in said sleeve member, said clamping member having the narrower clamping end portion thereof located in the narrower end of said passage and the wider clamping end portion thereof located in the Wider end of said passage and being of sucient length to project the narrower and wider clamping end portions simultaneously in opposite directions from the ends of said sleeve member; at least one projecting stop fixed on the wedge-shaped clamping member adjacent the wider clamping end portion thereof, the wider end of said wedge-shaped sleeve member having at least one corresponding notch forming a seat for receiving said stop to prevent loss of said clamping member from the latter sleeve member when said clamping member is shifted to released position during operation of said clamping buckle; and manually operated pulling means secured to said wedge-shaped clamping member and depending from within the extremity of the wider clamping end portion thereof for slidably shifting said clamping member through the wedge-shaped sleeve member a sufficient distan-ce to release the clamping end portions of said clamping member from said strap.

9. A self-clamping buckle for varying the operative length of a strap, including the combination of a wedge-shaped sleeve member of predetermined length comprising two rigidly connected oppositely arranged unyielding sleeve walls disposed at an acute angle to each other to form a passage'between them which is wider at one end and narrower at the other end and through which the strap may be passed while superimposed upon one of the sleeve walls; a wedgeshaped concavely hollow clamping member of relatively greater length having a narrower clamping end portion and a wider clamping end portion and an intermediate portion interconnecting the clamping end portions and located slidably in contact with the other of said sleeve walls within the passage in said sleeve member, said clamping member having the narrower clamping end portion thereof located in the narrower end of said passage and the wider 'clamping end portion thereof located in the wider end of said passage and being of suicient length to project the narrower and wider end portions simultaneously7 in opposite directions from the ends of said sleeve member; at least one projecting stop fixed on tl`e` wedge-shaped clamping member adjacent the wider clamping end portion thereof, the wider end of said wedge-shaped sleeve member having at least one corresponding notch forming a seat for receiving said stop to prevent loss of said clamping member from the latter sleeve member when said clamping member is shifted to released position during operation of said clamping buckle.

10. A self-clamping buckle for varying the operative length of a strap, including the combination of a wedge-shaped sleeve member comprising two rigidly connected and oppositely arranged sleeve walls disposed at an acute angle to each other to form a passage between them which is portionandlocated slidably in contact withthe forward sleeve wall within the passage in said sleeve member, said clamping member having the narrower clamping end portion thereof located in the narrower end of said passage and the wider clamping end portion thereof located in the wider end of said passage; at least one stop xed upon the clamping member at the narrow clamping end portion thereof and projecting into obstructing position against a portion of the sleeve'member to prevent loss ofsaid clampingr member from the latter sleeve member when said clamping member is shifted to released position during operation of said clamping buckle, said wedgeshaped clamping member having a downwardly open slot in the wider end portion with the upper end of the'slot extendingupwardly within the lower edge of the forward wall at the wider end portion of said sleeve member in al1 operative positions of the latter; a pair of stops on the wider end of said wedge-shaped clamping member which exert a gradually increasing pressure toward the wider clamping end portion increasing to a nal terminal stopping effect; and manually operated pulling means secured to said wedge-shaped clamping member and depending from the latter through the downwardly open slot therein whereby upward pulling of said pulling wider at one end and narrower at the other end means exteriorly of the forward wall of said sleeve member effects release of said clamping memberby causing the sleeve member to slip easily off said clamping member with the clamping end portions of the latter anchored on said strap, both of the clampingA end portions of said clamping member in all operative positions of the latter projecting exteriorly beyond the corresponding end edges of the rear wall of said sleeve member, and said pulling member when pulled downward slidably releasing said clamping member downwardly through said sleeve member with simultaneous release of the clamping end portions of said clamping member from said strap.

11. A self-clamping buckle for varying the operative length of a strap, including the combina. tion of a wedge-shaped sleeve member comprising two rigidly connected andv oppositely arranged sleeve walls disposed at an acute ang-le to each other to form a passage between them which is wider at one end and narrower at the other end and through which the strap may be passed between the sleeve walls, one of the latter 'walls forming a rear wall and the other forming a forward wall upon said sleeve member; a concavely hollow wedge-shaped clamping member having a narrower clamping end portion and a vwider clamping end portion and located with the con- Vex side thereof slidably in contact with the forward sleeve wall within the passage in said sleeve member, said clamping member having the narrower clamping end portion thereof located in the narrower end of said passage and thewider clamping end portion thereof located in the wider end of said passage; means for preventing loss of the wedge-shaped clamping member from the sleeve member when the clamping member is shifted to released position during operation of said clamping buckle, said wedge-shaped clamping member having a downwardly open slot in the wider end portion with the upper end of the slot extending upwardly within the lower edge of the forward wall at the wider end portion of said sleeve memberin all operative positions of the` latter; a pair of stops on the wider end portion of said wedge-shaped clamping member which 76 exert a gradually increasing pressure toward the #wider clamping.: end .portion increasing rtoifafznal terminal `stopping =.eEect :zand Vmanually operated :pulling `means secured :to .said 4fwwedge-tshaped :clamping member .andfdependingffrom the latter zthrough the downw-ardly..open slott therein. whereby upward pullingofxsaid' pulling meansrexterior- :ly lofzthe 4forward `iwall of :sa-idfsleeve member effects:V release of said clampingzmember-bytcaus- -ingthesleeve memberzto slipieasilyfol'said clamp,-

ing 'member vwith the" clampingv .endrportions :of fthe latter anchoredpon ,said strap, both of :the :clamping end; portions-iofxsaid clampingtmember "in all operative positions of theflatterprojecting exteriorlyfbeyond'gthe corresponding :end: e dgeszof thexrearvwall vof rsaidzsleevezmember, :andsaid pulling member when;` pulled-:downward slidably releasing Asaid rclarxrping :member downwardly .through said sleeveg-memberA with; simultaneous .release .tof `the clamping endfportions ofsaid clamping memberifrom saidustra-p.

. l2. Afselffclamping .-buclrle ifor' varyngtheop- -erative length ora: strangincluding-the'combination: of a wedgefrshapedgsleeve. lmember;comprising two rigidly connected and :oppositely arranged sleeveswalls.:idisposedzfatl anfacute anglewto each other 5to formy av passage-:between thelnfwhichf-is wider; at one end :and'narrowerat Vthe otherend andthrough whichthe k.strap:may:bef passed between the sleeve walls; cone l`of` the --latter Ywalls forming-a rear wall;an1d the-other `formi-ng aforward' wall upon. saidisleeve member.; -a-concavel-y hollow wedge-Lshapedzclamping member "havingga narrower clamping end portionl and a wider clampingrend,portionandlocatedwith,thefconvex sidethereoffslidablyziinz-contact-lwith the: forward sleeve wall withinzthe,4 passagefin-said sleeve inem.h1 ber, said1clampingmember having the narrower elampingnendfportion thereof located .in the-narrower.- en-.d' of said passage-and the wider clamping enLd -bortionfthereofrlocatedmathe-wider vend-lof Said passager Vat ileastone; stop "fixedupon the clamping member .at 4the inarrow clamping, end Portion thereof and projecting `into obstructing positionagainsta'portionfof the sleeve. member to prevent lossoff said -rclampinga member from Y the latter sleeve member when said clampingmember isshiftedtoreleased positionlduring operation of said: clampingy buckle,V said ,wedge-.shapedclamping member-having a,- .downwardly openslot in the Widerend -portion Withfthegupperend of Vthe slotfextend-ing upwardly within theloweredgeof theF forward wallat Athe-wider end portion` of. said sleeve member .inall operative -,posi1,ions...ofv vthe latter; .Yapairfof -stops onthe -wider end. .portion ofzsaid wedge-shaped. clamping `member vwhich exert a gradually increasing, pressure toward., the wider clamping. end. portion increasing to a inal terminal stopping elect;l andi manuallyoperated pulling. meansfsecured toY said: wedgershaped clamping member and yolependingirom.the latter throughthe downwardly openslot therein. whereby upwardgpulling. ofV s adpulling. means exteriorly of .the forward. wall. ofrsaidleeve member Teffeets .releaseof said clamping member by,.causing the. sleevemember to. slip easily off, said clamping member with .the clamping endportions ofthe latter-anchored onsaidstrap, .both of the 4clamping vend portions of rsaid clamping. member .in all operative positions of .the .latter projecting exteriorly beyond. the .corresponding endl edges vof the rear wallof saidsleevemember.,,andsaidpullingr member vwhen pulleddownwardrslidably releasing -said clamping member downwardly through said sleeve'memb'er .with simultaneous release of Athe clamping -end portionsof said clamping member from said strap.

13. A'self-clampinglbuckle for varyingthe. operative length of a strap,. including the. combination of awedge-shapedsleeve membercomprising two. rigidly connected andoppositely arranged sleeve walls disposedat an acute angle to-each other to forma passage Vbetweenthemwhiehis wider at one end and narrower. at the otherend and'v through which the. strap .may .be passed 'between the sleeve walls, one '.'of itheilatter' walls forming airear wall and .thefother formingr a for ward'wallupon said sleeve: member; a concavely hollowwedge-shaped' clamping: memberihaving a narrower clamping end portion and a wider clamping end portion and located with the convex side thereof slidablyin..eontact with the forward sleeve Wall within the passage in'said sleevemember.; saidfclamping: member having.v the narrower clamping end portion thereof locatedv in the narrowervend of said passage and the wider clamping end portion thereof located in the wider end of said passage; a vstop'ixed on lthe'clamping `memberadjacentto the narrow clamping end portion thereofv and projecting transversely of the direction of releasing movement nof said Yclamping A member into obstructing positionv'against aportion of the sleeve member to prevent loss of said clamping 4member .from the latter sleeve-'member when said clamping member isshifted toreleased position during operation of sadclamping buckle, said wedge-shaped clamping member having `a downwardly open slotA in Vthe wider end" portion with the upper-end of the slot extending upwardly within therlower edge of the forwardwall at the wider-end Portion-of said sleevewmember in all operative positions of the latter; a pair'of'stops on the wider end portion/of said Wedge-shaped clamping member whichexert-agradually in creasing pressure toward the'wider clamping end portion Vincreasing to a final' terminal stopping effect; and manually operated pulling means-secured tosaid'Wedge-shaped clamping member and depending from the latter through the downwardly open slot therein whereby upward pulling of said pulling means exteriorly of theforwarcl wall of Vsaid sleeve member effects release of said clamping' member by'causing thesleeve member to slip easily oli said clamping member with the clamping end portions of the latter anchored on said-strap, both of the clamping end portions of said .clamping memberv in all operative positions of--the latter projecting exterior-'ly beyond theocrresponding'end edges of the rear .wall lof said sleeve member, and said pulling member when pulled downward slidably releasing saidv clamping member downwardly through said sleeve member with simultaneous release of the clamping end portions of said clamping member from said strap.

LEO STEINER.

REFERENCES CITED Thofollowing references are of record inthe le; of-this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Y Date 11,089,853 Meserole Mar. 10, 1914 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 404,478 Great Britain Jan. 18, 1934 

